SF975 Summary

• Appropriations: Total of $273.8 billion for Office of Higher Education (2022-2023), $776.4 billion for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, $681.7 billion for University of Minnesota, and $1.35 billion for Mayo Clinic.

• Student Aid Enhancements: Increases child care grant maximum from $3,000 to $6,000 per child annually; establishes new Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants program for youth formerly in foster care; reduces assigned family responsibility percentages for state grant calculations.

• Food Security & Basic Needs: Creates permanent Hunger-Free Campus designations with grant funding ($5,000 initial/$2,000 sustaining) for Minnesota State and University of Minnesota campuses; establishes student basic needs resource requirements and SNAP eligibility outreach.

• Workforce and Education Programs: Establishes direct admissions pilot program for public high school students; expands dual training competency grants; creates competitive grant program for hunger-free campuses; modifies student teacher grant eligibility to include rural school districts and license shortage areas.

• Policy Updates: Implements mental health awareness programs at state colleges/universities; modifies student transcript access restrictions; updates private career school closure and proration procedures; extends Z-Degree program expansion requirements through 2022-2023.